Pula

Pula (“Pola” in Italian) is the largest city in Istria, western Croatia, located on southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. Pula was once an Austro-Hungarian Empire major naval base. Nowadays, it is an important Croatian port and an industrial centre being something in between a busy working port and active Istrian Riviera town.

The Romans captured Pula in 178 B.C. where they built the most amazing and well-known Pula amphitheater, which remains are still used as Pula’s summer stage for various opera and pop performances, as well as for well-known Pula Film Festival, that is hosted there since 1953. The Pula amphitheater (“arena” in Croatian) was built at the end of first century B.C. It is sixth largest amphitheater in the world, with capacity of 22 000 people. Outer shell is almost complete, while inside seats are just partly remaining.

During the history, Pula was destroyed by Augustus, but was rebuilt by him and named Pietas Julia. Pula was taken by the Venice Republic in 1148, and 200 years later overtaken and destroyed by Genovese.

The Venetians continued to rule Pula until the Treaty of Campo Formio (1797) when Pula was transferred to Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city was surrender to Italy after World War I. Since the World War II, Pula belongs to Croatia, then one of the Yugoslav republics. As far as holiday in Pula is concerned, Pula offers various options for a nice holiday. Hotels and appartments are spread out throughout and around the city of Pula as well in smaller neighboring places. Many tourist facilities are located outside of the city on the various beaches that stretch along 100km of the Istiran peninsula coastline so one can chose among the wide range of swimming spots. Just outside of the city centre, there are good swimming spots of Verudela, Stoja and Lungo Mare.

Hotels in Pula:

Splendid Resort
“In the area of Zlatne Stijene, 3 km from the city center of Pula, turned toward the sea, there is Resort splendid. Except the central reception desk, there is a restaurant, snack bar, tennis courts, mini golf, supermarket.” Prices from €32 – Number of rooms: 110 – Check Splendid Resort, Pula availability

Punta Verudela Resort
These apartments form a tourist complex consisting of residential units located in several independent two and three store buildings. The arrangement makes a typical Mediterranean settlement. The buildings are connected by bike and walking paths. Prices from €29 – Number of rooms: 447 – Check Punta Verudela Resort, Pula availability

More info about Pula and surrounding area:

Temple of Augustus – Pula : The temple of Augustus is located on the north-west side of the forum. It is made up of a larger closed cellar and a smaller vestibule open towards the square and flanked with four columns with Corinthian capitals on the front side and with one column on each lateral. Longitudinal walls of the cellar end with fluted semi-columns in the vestibule.

Archeological Museum Istria – Pula : The museum collection in Pula came into being when Marshal Marmont started collecting stone monuments in the Temple of Augustus in 1802. However, what gave rise to the foundation of the Pula Municipal Museum (Museo civico) in 1902 was the discovery of stone, ceramic and metal objects in Nesactium…

Map of Pula and southern part of Istria – map of Pula and surrounding area including Brijuni Islands

Map of Pula – map of the archaeological sites whithin Pula – Old Photos of Pula– photo album of some old photos of Pula – Istria.